Airman to receive Purple Heart Published Feb. 7, 2008 DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A military working dog handler assigned to the 7th Security Forces Squadron here is scheduled to receive the Purple Heart by the 7th Bomb Wing commander Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. here. Staff Sgt. Zebulen Miller will receive the medal for his injuries he received while deployed to Iraq in April. Sergeant Miller's compound came under attack by indirect fire as he was walking from the dining facility to his living quarters. Before he could take cover, a 60mm mortar landed and exploded less than 20 feet away from him. Shrapnel from the explosion pierced his leg, and he was quickly transported by helicopter to Balad Air Base, Iraq, for surgery. After two surgeries and three weeks of rehabilitation, Sergeant Miller returned to work for four more months before returning home to Dyess in September. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed while serving in combat.